Folding chair

ABSTRACT

A folding chair which includes a seating panel and generally rectangular, open frames forming the legs and seat back thereof. The open frames are pivotally coupled to the seating panel and to one another and are dimensioned to be folded one within the other such that the chair may be folded into a package of minimum dimensions.

A United States Patent 1191 Shepard 1111 3,885,828 1 51 May 27, 1975 1 FOLDING CHAIR [76] Inventor: Clayton Leon Shepard, 824 S. Main St., Bluffton, Ind. 46717 [22] Filed: Feb. 11, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 441,375

52 u.s.c1. 297/s2;297/53;297/444;

' 108/119 51 1111.0. ..A47c 4/14 58 Field of Search 297/53,52,51, 56,57,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 380,484 4/1888 Henry 297/52 719,170 l/l903 Zimmerman 297/53 964,392 7/1910 Cerrini 108/119 2,269,777 l/l942 Lund 297/53 2,542,040 2/1951 MacLellan.... 248/164 X 2,625,208 1/1953 Lee 108/119 3,026,543 3/1962 I McPhaden.... 5/100 3,243,320 8/1885 Hanson 108/132 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 3,075 1900 Austria 108/119 1,089,831 lO/l954 France 297/52 Primary ExaminerFrancis K. Zugel [5 7] ABSTRACT A folding chair which includes a seating panel and generally rectangular, open frames forming the legs and seat back thereof. The open frames are pivotally coupled to the seating panel and to one another and are dimensioned to be folded one within the other such that the chair may be folded into a package of minimum dimensions.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures FOLDING CHAIR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to folding chairs and in particular to such a folding chair in which the legs and back are foldable one within the other to provide a chair having minimum dimensions when folded.

2. Description of the Prior Art Folding chairs are well known. Such chairs typically comprise a plurality of sections which are hingedly coupled together to permit folding of the chair for more compact storage thereof. The most common type of folding chair typically includes a seat back portion which is a fixed extension of one of the leg assemblies. Due to the fixed structure of the seat back panel, this type of chair does not provide for maximum compactness of the chair when folded. correspondingly, while such chairs may be easily stacked and stored in buildings and the like, they tend to be relatively bulky and awkward to store in places such as the trunk of an automobile, in a travel trailer, or the like.

Another type of folding chair is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,269,777 to Lund. This chair has a folding back panel such that the chair can be more compactly folded. However, this chair structure utilizes relatively thin seat and back panels to permit folding of the seat and seat back panels in overlapping relationship. This structure is more compact, but results in an inherent loss in rigidity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly, the present invention is a folding chair which comprises a seating panel and open, generally rectangular, outer and inner leg frames. The inner leg frame is dimensioned to be received between the sides of the outer leg frame which has a width about equal to the width of the seating panel. The inner and outer leg frames are pivotally coupled at points about midway between the ends thereof and one of the frames is pivotally coupled to the seating panel adjacent the forward end thereof. Means are provided for securing the upper end of the other of the frames to the rear of the seating panel. A seat back is provided which includes a generally rectangular open frame pivotally coupled at its lower end to the upper end of the outer leg frame and means are provided for supporting the seat back frame in a position in generally upstanding relationship with respect to the seating panel. The seat back frame is dimensioned to receive the outer frame and seating panel therebetween whereby the inner, outer, and back frames can be folded into a co-planar relationship parallel to the seating panel.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the seat back frame includes a plurality of elongated support members that are removably secured thereto. These members increase the rigidity of the seat back when in its upstanding position, provide for improved support for persons sitting on the seat, and can be easily removed to permit complete and compact folding of the chair when the latter is being transported.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved folding chair.

It is another object of the invention to provide a folding chair which can be folded into a package of minimum dimensions without loss of rigidity.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide such a folding chair which includes a pair of leg frames and a back frame hingedly coupled together and dimensioned to permit folding thereof into generally coplanar relationship.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide such a folding chair which includes means for selectively securing the leg frames thereof in unfolded position to prevent accidental folding thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a folding chair which includes means for supporting the seat back frame in upstanding relationship to the seating panel of the chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the folding chair of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chair of the invention shown partially folded;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the folding chair in accordance with the invention shown in its folded condition;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section line 44 of FIG. 3 and showing details of the means for coupling the leg frames to the seat panel; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective sectional view taken along section line 55 of FIG. 3 and showing further details of the coupling means of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, a folding chair 10 is shown in FIG. 1 comprising seating panel 12, inner and outer leg frames 14, 16, respectively, and seat back frame 18.

Seating panel 12 is generally flat and rectangular and may be fabricated from any suitable material such as plywood. Panel 12 includes front and rear edges 20, 22, top surface 24 and bottom surface 26.

Elongated hinge mounting block 28 of rectangular cross-section is fixedly secured to bottom surface 26 by means of suitable threaded fasteners 30 in a position adjacent edge 20 and parallel thereto. Block 28 has a length less than the width of panel 12 such that frames 14 and 16 can have widths less than and equal to the width of panel 12, respectively, with block 28 being received therebetween. A pair of hinge pins 32, 34 extend outwardly from block 28 and are fixedly secured thereto.

Inner leg frame 14 includes a pair of parallel, spacedapart leg members 36, 38 fixedly coupled together by laterally extending leg braces 40, 42. Members 36, 38 are of rectangular cross-section and may be made of any suitable rigid material such as wood. Braces 40,42 similarly may be wooden dowels and may be secured as by gluing the ends thereof in holes such as hole 44 in respective ones of members 36, 38. Ends 46, 48 of members 36, 38, respectively, are rounded and are pivotally coupled to pins 32, 34 by means of holes as at 50. Pins 32, 34 are secured to block 28.

Outer leg frame 16 also includes a pair of parallel, spaced-apart leg members 52, 54, members 52, 54 being fixedly coupled together at their lower ends 56, 58, respectively, by elongated dowel 60. Dowel 60 is preferably received in holes 62, 64 in members 52, 54, respectively, and secured as by gluing. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, upper (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2) ends 68, 70, of members 56, 58, respectively, are secured together by laterally extending member 72, members 56, 58 being secured to member 72 by recessed threaded fasteners 74. Member 72 has one surface 76 thereof tapered as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the other sides of member 72 being orthogonal. Frames 14 and 16 are pivotally coupled at points about midway between their ends by recessed pins 77, 79.

Clamping member 80 is fixedly secured to bottom surface 26 of seat panel 12 adjacent end 22 by recessed threaded fasteners 82. Surface 84 (FIG. 4 only) of member 80 facing end of seat panel 12, is tapered such that it receives members 72 in abutting and interlocking engagement therewith (FIG. 4). Locking member 88 is pivotally coupled to surface 26 adjacent members 80 and forwardly with respect thereto. Member 88 has generally V-shaped notch 90 formed in end 92 thereof that is adjacent member 72 when member 88 is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Member 88 may be pivoted about a pin 94 extending through panel 12 and member 88, as indicated by arrows 96, 98 (FIG. 3 only). Member 88 can further be clamped against rotation by means of wing nut 100.

It will now be observed that member 72 can be moved into abutting engagement with member 80 (FIGS. 1 and 4) and locked in engagement therewith by means of clamping member 88. When thus secured, leg frames 14 and 16 will be positively locked in their positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Conversely, clamping member 88 can be loosened by loosening wing nut 100 and pivoted as indicated by arrow 96 or 98. With member 88 thus moved, member 72 can be moved out of engagement with member 80 and leg frames 14 and 16 can be folded one within the other into the positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 3.

A pair of support dowels 102, 104 are received within holes 106, 108 adjacent ends 68, 70 of members 52, 54. Dowels 102, 104 are secured as by gluing and extend normally outwardly from members 52, 54.

Seat back frame 18 includes a pair of parallel, laterally spaced-apart frame members 110, 112 and top member 114 extending laterally between upper ends 116, 118 of members 110, 112. Member 114 is secured to members 110, 112 by suitable dowel pins and glue as at 120.

It will be observed that members 110, 112 are later-- ally spaced apart by a dimension about equal to the width of panel 12 and are pivotally coupled at their lower ends 124, 126 to upper ends 68, 70 of members 52, 54 by pivot pins 130, 132. Further, the vertical dimension between panel 12 and member 114 is such that frame 18 can be pivoted forwardly and downwardly as indicated by arrow 134 (FIGS. 1 and 2) with member 114 passing forwardly of edge 20 and members 110, 112 passing laterally of the sides 136, 138 of panel 12.

Preferably, member 114 is provided with a plurality of laterally spaced-apart through holes 140, 142, and 146 extending from the top surface 148 to the bottom surface 150 thereof. Similarly, panel 12 is provided with a plurality of laterally spaced apart holes 152, 154, and 156 positioned in generally perpendicular registry with holes 140, 142, and 146. A plurality of elongated dowels 160, 162, and 164 are slidably received through holes 140, 142, and 146 and are slidably received in holes 152, 154, and 156, with their bottom side supported by member 72 as best seen in FIG. 1. These dowels provide added support and comfort for persons sitting on the chair 10 and increase the rigidity of seat back 18.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, chair 10 can be folded such that leg frames 14, 16 and back frame 18 are all disposed in generally co-planar relationship. Because seat back frame 18 can be folded into the same plane as the leg frames 14, 16, both the longitudinal dimension of the chair when folded and the thickness of the chair when folded are substantially reduced. This result is further effected without any loss in rigidity or comfort of the seat back frame 18. It will further be observed that the locking means including members 72, 80, and 88, provides for positively locking the chair 10 in its erected position and obviates any possibility that the chair may accidentally collapse or fold when being used. Seat back frame is firmly supported in its upstanding position as shown in FIGS. 1 by support dowels 102, 104. Because the only forces against seat back frame 18 will be rearwardly against the frame 18, clamping means for securing the seat back frame 18 in its upstanding position are not generally required.

Construction of the chair is relatively simple and exceptionally rugged. The entire chair may be fabricated from a suitable material such as wood. The chair, when folded, is easily stored in small places such as the trunk of an automobile, within travel trailers, and the like. The chair can further be transported easily by hand because of the minimal dimensions thereof when folded.

While there have been described above the principles of this invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding chair comprising a planar seating panel of predetermined width, open and generally rectangular outer and inner leg frames, said inner frame being dimensioned to be received between the sides of said outer frame, said outer frame having a width generally equal to the width of said panel, said inner and outer frames being pivotally connected at points generally midway between the ends thereof, one of said frames having one end thereof pivotally coupled to said panel adjacent the forward end thereof, means secured to the upper end of the other of said frames and to the rear end of said panel for selectively coupling said upper end of said other frame to said rear end of said panel, a seat back including a generally rectangular and open frame, means pivotally coupling said back frame adjacent the lower end thereof to the upper end of said other leg frame for pivotal movement with respect thereto, means for supporting said seat back in a position upstanding with respect to said panel, said back frame being dimensioned to receive said other frame and said panel therebetween, whereby, said inner, outer, and back frames can be folded into co-planar relationship and parallel to said panel,

said back frame including a pair of elongated members pivotally coupled adjacent their lower ends to said transverse member openings, said upper ends of said dowels being respectively, removably received in said transverse member openings and said lower ends thereof being respectively, removably received in said panel openings. 

1. A folding chair comprising a planar seating panel of predetermined width, open and generally rectangular outer and inner leg frames, said inner frame being dimensioned to be received between the sides of said outer frame, said outer frame having a width generally equal to the width of said panel, said inner and outer frames being pivotally connected at points generally midway between the ends thereof, one of said frames having one end thereof pivotally coupled to said panel adjacent the forward end thereof, means secured to the upper end of the other of said frames and to the rear end of said panel for selectively coupling said upper end of said other frame to said rear end of said panel, a seat back including a generally rectangular and open frame, means pivotally coupling said back frame adjacent the lower end thereof to the upper end of said other leg frame for pivotal movement with respect thereto, means for supporting said seat back in a position upstanding with respect to said panel, said back frame being dimensioned to receive said other frame and said panel therebetween, whereby, said inner, outer, and back frames can be folded into co-planar relationship and parallel to said panel, said back frame including a pair of elongated members pivotally coupled adjacent their lower ends to said upper end of said other leg frame and connected adjacent their upper ends by a transverse member, said transverse member having a plurality of spaced openings therein, said seating panel having a plurality of spaced openings therein adjacent said rear end thereof and respectively aligned with said transverse member openings, said upper ends of said dowels being respectively, removably received in said transverse member openings and said lower ends thereof being respectively, removably received in said panel openings. 